Sect and Clan

Harpy Precedent (Sect is equal Camarilla and Status ≥ 4): New York City is apparently being regarded with somewhat lower respect throughout the region's Camarilla cities, due allegedly to impropriety in the awarding of Status to Camarilla members of higher standing by their respective Primogen.

A few Kindred are wondering if Prince West's youth is to blame. Some, however (particularly in Boston) suspect that the fault lies rather in corrupt advisers or perhaps in elders interfering in the rule of the city.

Harpy Precedent (Sect is equal Camarilla and Status ≥ 5): A new precedent is sweeping through the north east region with regards to the powers of the Office of the Harpy. It is known that any, save for the Prince, who grant Status to others of higher standing in a city which is under contested rule shall be considered under scandal and may lose standing as is appropriate.

This edict has been made ostensibly in reaction to New York's seemingly untoward use of Status in months past.

Other

Disappeared Pornography (Coterie is equal to Hong Kong Cavaliers): The board in the International House of the Hong Kong Cavaliers that previously sported nude pictures of a woman looking somewhat like Helen Rogerson and many photos of naked Harry Potter actors has been deprived of these treasures.

There are several Christian tracts pinned to the wall in their place.

Also... there's blood all over the living room ceiling for some reason.

More Good News! (Personal for Layla Reese): Not only has everyone in town suddenly decided that Daemon's is the crappiest club in town and they hate it... leaving you with near zero customers, but apparently an electrical fire in the club's main room occurred a few days ago. It spread upward causing damage to the apartments upstairs and rendering them unlivable.

You are no longer making any money from the club or from your tenants.

Paparazzi! (Personal for Emmanuel James Richardson IV): You nearly blew Tom Cruise! Every evening you wake up go outside and are surrounded by inquisitive paparazzi. They can be lost with a smart driver, but they're a tad annoying.

Your Floaty Friend (Personal for Sam McCoy): It hasn't been cold around you since last Elysium, and you never feel the burn of unseen eyes watching you.

She just isn't around. She hasn't been around for two weeks.

Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy x2: The Bloomberg administration, hoping to inspire more imaginative design in working-class housing, intends to turn over one of a dwindling number of large tracts of city-owned land to a development team with an unusual plan to build a low- and moderate-income housing complex bound together by courtyards and roof gardens that would be used for everything from harvesting rainwater to farming vegetables and fruit.

Bureaucracy x3: Some much need roadwork is being done in Harlem.

Church

Church x1: Christine Darkwater, the Dominican nun believed to be responsible for the string of arson attacks last Fall, died yesterday evening in her room at Ward's Island Hospital for the criminally insane. Her funeral is to be held at St. Patrick Cathedral this coming Friday.

Meanwhile, the group known as the Pururea Incurca (or Loa's Children) is claiming religious persecution from Christian fanatics as the slain body of the group' s leader, Loa, was apparently found in her temple surrounded by Christian paraphernalia. The Church has declined to comment.

Church x2: There have been further rumors that Christine Darkwater spoke in the hour of her death, something strange considering that she had not spoken since her arrest. Her last words are apparently not widely known. Christine apparently died at peace. She was found lying supine on the hospital floor, after having purposefully detached herself from her IV and placed herself there. Her arms were outstretched cross-like. She was smiling.

It is claimed that upon Darkwater's death, the dogwood tree outside her cell window burst into bloom. Those who believed in Darkwater's innocence have taken this as a sign of her beatific status.

Church x3: Investigations continues to be made into the claims of a young boy named Christian Hayes, who claims that the devil and the Virgin Mary (a la the St. Paddy's incident) appeared before him and molested him sexually in addition to forcing him to partake of their blood. No further such incidents have occurred.

Church x4: People have claimed that strange images appeared in the camera footage of Christine Darkwater's cell. Apparently this footage has been leaked to YouTube already. Christine's final words remain an enigma and are cut off at points by the static. The only sentence that is fully recognizable is "I know why he stayed my hand."

Church x5: All members save for the original two of the Cenacle of Saint Jude, the hunter group from "The Society," are either dead or missing now that Christine is gone.

Suspicion is falling heavily upon the group from above, as there are apparently rumors of dissent occurring within the Cenacle, and it was considered somewhat non-traditional by Leopoldian standards. The Censorship is up in arms, and there is talk that the entire group may be put under investigation.

Ruy de Castro, long-time upstanding member of the Cenacle, has apparently returned to New York to look into matters.

Church x6: The Cenacle of St. Jude NEVER actually left the city and Ruy de Castro (really named Rafeal Marcos) is desperate to find out what happened to Jack Knight, a layman member who had disappeared recently after a falling out with the order in general. He is also worried by Christine's death.

He reports that he has since performed the auto de fe on the head of the group known as the Pururea Incurca, known as Loa. She was reportedly among the Damned, and the church has felt threatened by her organization for some time.

Church x7: Abbe Ferdinand St. John, the leader of the Cenacle of St. Jude, has disappeared from the collective radar of the Church. He claimed to have gone on retreat earlier this month, but hasn't been seen since and resists all attempts at contact.

Rafeal Marcos (a.k.a Ruy de Castro) is on precarious ground as a registered Theurge and as the only man who might still have contact with Abbe St. John.

Even if the city is thick with the Damned, the office of the Censor is poised to shut down the Cenacle if Marcos can't produce St. John in a few weeks.

Finance

Finance x3: The charity organization known as "Growing Minds" raised nearly $200,000 due to the gala held in it's honor this Tuesday. However, since the death of the organizations found, local religious leader and philanthropist, Loa. The organization has seen nearly twice that number in additional donations.

Finance x5: The Church of Scientology in Connecticut is one of the heftier donors to "Growing Minds."

Health

Health x1: Christine Darkwater, the Dominican nun believed to be responsible for the string of arson attacks last Fall, died yesterday evening in her room at Ward's Island Hospital for the criminally insane.

Cult leader Loa, who headed the group known as the Pururea Incurca, was found slain in her groups Bronx temple Wednesday morning. She is to be cremated in a public ceremony by her followers later this week. Autopsy reports, however, have turned up something bizarre.

Health x3: Loa's autopsy indicates that she was killed by being ripped apart by some tremendous force and then stabbed with an unknown object posthumously.

Christine appears to have died from sudden massive blood loss, although no explanation can be found for where the blood went. She seems to have died without pain, after having removed her IV and laid herself out on the floor. She was smiling.

Researchers are looking more heavily into the effects of xylothanamenic acid (the active chemical in Sempreverde), as it is seemingly very easy to plant hypnotic suggestions in people under the influence of the drug. This is in reaction the the recent wave of Lucasta sightings throughout NYC which bear an eerie resemblance to "Devil's Thursday." They suspect that "Lucasta" may be using some sort of chemical to induce hallucinogenic visions of his person.

Health x4: It is claimed that upon Darkwater's death, the dogwood tree outside her cell window burst into bloom. Some have blamed this incident on the recent rash of particularly clement weather. Christians apparently believe it is a sign that Christine was touched by God.

The Office of Dr. Steven Shea and the surrounding offices at Columbia University Medical center are temporarily closed because of a health violation and the need for "rodent fumigation."

Health x5: People have claimed that strange images appeared in the camera footage of Christine Darkwater's cell. Apparently this footage has been leaked to YouTube already. Christine's final words remain an enigma and are cut off at points by the static. The only sentence that is fully recognizable is "I know why he stayed my hand."

Connections are being made between Christine's death, the death of her mother Allison earlier last year, and the death of a young grad student named Joy Kamigawa. Apparently all three have died from massive unexplained blood loss, although Joy and Allison seem to have manifested strange markings not found on Christine.

High Society

High Society x1: The "Growing Minds" gala was a smashing success and a ton of money was raised for the foundation. However a pall has been cast over the event somewhat both by the unfortunate demise of the gala's organizer, Loa who was allegedly killed by Christian extremists on Wednesday in reaction to her standing as leader of the alternative religious order the Pururea Incurca (or Loa's Children), and by untoward rumors regarding Mr. Tom Cruise (who apparently made an appearance at the gala).

A revival of the Broadway musical Cabaret continues to receive exceptionally rave reviews from critics, especially it's leading lady Natalie Hemming who plays the role of Sally Bowles. Shows are damn near impossible to get tickets too.

High Society x2: Tabloids (especially Super Amazingly Truthful Awesome tabloids) are pouring in stories that Tom Cruise apparently was approached sexually by a young millionaire at a gala last Tuesday, and that the two of them ended up in a men's restroom together.

A funeral is being held for Loa by members of her alternative religious group, the Pururea Incurca.

A Harlem nightclub, known as Daemon's is currently shut down due to fire damage.

High Society x3: The millionaire who is alleged to have hooked up with Tom Cruise is Emanuel James Richardson IV. Cruise of course has declined to comment and is already making overtures to sue Algernon St. Claire, the SATAN writer who published the story regarding him and Richardson.

He has not commented on Richardson himself and claims not to know him. Paparazzi are pouring in to try to find more about this enigmatic character.

Meanwhile, before the fire that took it out of commission temporarily, Daemon's in Harlem was getting a rapid reputation as one of the skeeziest clubs in town. Business was almost dead.

High Society x4: Gossips behind stage at the Cabaret revival claim that Hemming is quite the flirt, and that she apparently has entertained quite a number of gentlemen callers after shows.

High Society x6: The Church of Scientology has declared millionaire Emanuel James Richardson IV "fair game".

Industry

n/a

Legal

Legal x1: Abel Sarkin, infamous leader of the Brotherhood of the Black Rose is to stand trial next month for two counts of first degree murder with regards to the deaths of Tristan and Avery Rain. Sarkin is universally loathed and a guilty verdict is expected.

Legal x2: Tom Cruise is making overtures to sue Algernon St. Claire, a SATAN writer who has published the story regarding him having a sexual encounter with millionaire Emanuel James Richardson IV.

He has not commented on Richardson himself and claims not to know him.

Media

Media x1: LUCASTA ALERT!!! A wave of mass hysteria is hitting the city! Multiple people all over the area have been reporting encounters with the enigmatic vigilante figure Lucasta, who apparently has appeared in the form of a brilliant angel leading an army of followers to smite the wicked. Experts are scrambling to find an explanation. No footage has yet been captured of the phenomenon and there are only eyewitness reports. People suspect that there are no actual physical attacks but rather that some sort of group hallucination is taking place.

Meanwhile, tabloids (especially Super Amazingly Truthful Awesome tabloids) are pouring in stories that Tom Cruise apparently was approached sexually by a young millionaire at a gala last Tuesday, and that the two of them ended up in a men's restroom together.

Media x2: The millionaire who is alleged to have hooked up with Tom Cruise is Emanuel James Richardson IV. Cruise, of course, has declined to comment, and is already making overtures to sue Algernon St. Claire, the SATAN writer who published the story regarding him and Richardson.

He has not commented on Richardson himself and claims not to know him. Paparazzi are pouring in to try to find more about this enigmatic character.

Media x3: People have claimed that strange images appeared in the camera footage of Christine Darkwater's cell (the Dominican nun who died in a max security hospital for the criminally insane yesterday).

Apparently this footage has been leaked to YouTube already, where conspiracy theorists claim that a second figure can be seen in a few frames of the footage. The claim is not very convincing at low res.

Media x4:Daily Dirge Horoscopist, Melvin Gaylord, apparently has calmed down a bit after receiving a large number of harassing phone calls that related to his somewhat negative attitude toward Leos in the paper. The Dirge, in spite of his increasingly bizarre horoscopes, have insisted on keeping him on staff.

Media x5: Visual enhancement of the Christine Darkwater video reveal the following images that on-line conspiracy theorists and ghost chasers have become enraptured with:

A second figure, possibly female, seems to appear in frames 124-127 and in frame 235.

In frame 235, the second figure appears to be embracing Darkwater.

During the point in time when Christine allegedly died, the screen goes to static. People claim that in this static you can see a screaming face. It's rather blurry, and appears to have a third eye or some sort of marking on its forehead. This claim is the least substantiated.

Christine's final words remain an enigma and are cut off at points by the static. The only sentence that is fully recognizable is "I know why he stayed my hand."

People are mirroring the video like crazy before YouTube takes it down.

Occult

Occult x1: LUCASTA ALERT!!! A wave of mass hysteria is hitting the city! Multiple people all over the area have been reporting encounters with the enigmatic vigilante figure Lucasta, who apparently has appeared in the form of a brilliant angel leading an army of followers to smite the wicked. Reports have been pouring in simultaneously from various locations, in patterns that seem to be incongruous with any humanely possible transportation. (i.e. He seems to be in multiple places at once.)

There is a heavy premonition that this might be some sort of herald of the end times, and local cult movements supportive of Lucasta have been talking of the "Age of the Lightbringer"

Meanwhile, the leader of the Pururea Incurca, known only as Loa was found slain in her temple Wednesday morning. She is to be cremated in a public ceremony by her followers later this week.

Occult x2: There is a definite sense given the recent assault by Lucasta and the prevailing amount of bizarre signs (Darkwater's strange death, the Brotherhood of the Black Rose, etc...) that the end times are coming. Apocalyptic paranoia is at an all time high!

Police have successfully gotten a confession from Abel Sarkin, leader of the now-disbanded Brotherhood of the Black Rose, for the murder of two children in what is believed to be a genuine case of ritualistic Satanic sacrifice. He is to stand trial fairly soon for first degree homicide.

Christine Darkwater, the Dominican nun believed to be responsible for the string of arson attacks last Fall, died yesterday evening in her room at Ward's Island Hospital for the criminally insane. Inside sources say that strange events surrounded her death, and that something unnatural occurred at the time of her demise.

The Pururea Incurca is claiming religious persecution from Christian fanatics as the slain body of Loa was apparently found in her temple surrounded by Christian paraphernalia. They are however making a statement of forgiveness regarding her murders, as they feel it is in her spirit to do so.

Occult x3: Police are now convinced that occultist Adam Jones, had no involvement in the Sarkin case, although his name had been brought up previously.

Meanwhile, the Lucasta hysteria is picking up to such a degree, that many fringe groups have become rather enamored of the figure. "The Age of the Lightbringer" is being heralded as the next step in mankind's development, and some claim that Lucasta is the next step in mankind's spiritual evolution.

Apparently the Scions of the Mystick Sigil aren't buying that one, and refuse to be afraid of the Lucasta phenomenon.

Allegedly, in the hour of Christine Darkwater's death, a dogwood tree growing outside her cell window burst into bloom spontaneously. There are also rumors that she finally spoke before her death - for the first time in months.

Occult x4: The hidden "occult room" at Columbia University (found recently in connection to the death of grad student Joy Kamigawa in the same library) has been widely dismissed as either a hoax or something to do with a secret society or fraternity gone amok. Nobody genuinely involved in the scene really believes the area to be associated with any actual occult groups.

Meanwhile, the Church of Scientology has declared millionaire Emanuel James Richardson IV "fair game."

Occult x5: It is rumored that in prior to the recent wave of en masse "Lucasta attacks," he had said to his followers "that the time is drawing near, to when they shall rise up as Light-Bringers in their own right."

Regarding the Christine Darkwater case, people claim furthermore that strange images appeared in the camera footage of Christine Darkwater's cell. Apparently this footage has been linked to YouTube, where conspiracy theorists claim that a second figure can be seen in a few frames of the footage. It's not very convincing as low res.

The Church of Scientology apparently believes that Richardson is some sort of "agent of entropy" and that he has recently attempted to corrupt Tom Cruise. This is the reason he has been labeled "fair game."

There are whispers that Loa was killed by something unnatural, as her body seems to have been rent in two by an inhumanly strong force. There are also rumors that there is a "new Loa" who is to come out of Romania and take over operations for the cult.

Occult x6: Visual enhancement of the Christine Darkwater video reveal the following images that on-line conspiracy theorists and ghost chasers have become enraptured with:

A second figure, possibly female, seems to appear in frames 124-127 and in frame 235.

In frame 235, the second figure appears to be embracing Darkwater.

During the point in time when Christine allegedly died, the screen goes to static. People claim that in this static you can see a screaming face. It's rather blurry, and appears to have a third eye or some sort of marking on its forehead. This claim is the least substantiated.

Christine's final words remain an enigma and are cut off at points by the static. The only sentence that is fully recognizable is "I know why he stayed my hand."

Occult x7: Abel Sarkin claimed that his first impulses to kill the children he murdered came when in the presence of Adam Jones, and that "voices" told him that Jones was to be his unknowing aide. This has been widely hushed.

Church of Scientology: Richardson is not of the one-song... he is one of the destroyers...

Police

Police x1: LUCASTA ALERT!!! A wave of mass hysteria is hitting the city! Multiple people all over the area have been reporting encounters with the enigmatic vigilante figure Lucasta, who apparently has appeared in the form of a brilliant angel leading an army of followers to smite the wicked. Reports have been pouring in simultaneously from various locations, in patterns that seem to be incongruous with any humanely possible transportation. (i.e. He seems to be in multiple places at once.)

No footage can be found of this phenomenon. While nobody has been injured by Lucasta, the fear that another wave of mass insanity, similar to that which occurred on Devil's Friday, may be in the works. Police do not actively believe that Lucasta is causing any physical attacks.

Meanwhile, police homicide detective Bernard Motley, who previous was making waves throughout the department regarding abuse of power disappeared from his home in Manhattan the night of January 5th. He has not been heard from since, and a massive investigation as to his whereabouts is underway.

Meanwhile, Christine Darkwater, the Dominican nun believed to be responsible for the string of arson attacks last Fall, died yesterday evening in her room at Ward's Island Hospital for the criminally insane.

Lastly, cult leader "Loa" who headed the group known as the Pururea Incurca was found slain in her groups Bronx temple Wednesday morning. There is suspicion on either Christian extremists or people trying to imitate Christian extremists, as a silver cross was found at her murder site. She is to be cremated in a public ceremony by her followers later this week.

Police x2: Police have successfully gotten a confession from Abel Sarkin, leader of the now-disbanded Brotherhood of the Black Rose, for the murder of two children in what is believed to be a genuine case of ritualistic Satanic sacrifice. He is to stand trial fairly soon for first degree homicide.

Initial investigations into the Loa case have rendered puzzling results. The woman seems to have been ripped in half by a large piece of machinery and stabbed with an unknown object. It's inconsistent with what medical examiners have come to expect.

Police x3: Bernard Motley was pushing HARD for police to track down one Reino Haldor (alias John Matthews), whom he claims to be involved both in Joy Kamigawa's death and in a series of thefts and misuses of power within the department. People are now looking into this man heavily.

Meanwhile, Police are still looking into the Joy Kamigawa case (a university student who was murdered last December in Columbia library). Kamigawa was in fact a friend of police detective Bernard Motley and medical experts have been baffled by the autopsy results in the Kamigawa case.

The cause of death is reportedly blood loss. Although there are no seeming exit wounds on her body, nearly 70% of her blood seems to have gone missing.

Police x4: Joy Kamigawa had previously made reports that squatters were inhabiting the basement of Columbia University, and an initial investigation had -in fact- been launched into the complaint the morning of her death. Although the initial search turned up nothing.

It is now believed that in spite of this possible connection, nothing found in Columbia University's basement can be linked to Kamigawa's death.

Meanwhile police are frightened as they have noticed a distinct similarity between the cross taken from the site of Loa's murder, and the crosses left at the homes in the Bronx arson investigations.

Police x5: Motley, in addition to going on a tirade about this mysterious Reino Haldor, had also brought up the name "West" repeatedly in his accusations, although few people are looking into whomever this individual is nearly as hard as they are with regards to Reino Haldor.

The Joy Kamigawa case continues to cause concern. It is now being linked to the death of Allison Darkwater in Scranton, Pennsylvania a few months prior. The markings on the bodies are identical, and both victims experienced unexplained massive blood loss, with the majority of their blood unaccounted for.

This connection has been solidified after an autopsy report indicated that Christine Darkwater, like her mother and Ms. Kamigawa, also died of a massive loss of blood. Although she lacked similar marking to the other two bodies.

Also, police have also uncovered what appeared to be a covertly hidden meeting place under Columbia university library, decked out in occult trappings, although this has recently been accredited to an on-campus secret society, and not to any actual occult group.

Police are now convinced that occultist Adam Jones, had no involvement in the Sarkin case, although his name had been brought up previously.

Politics

Politics x1: There is a public backlash against conservative Christian groups in relation to the recent death of local alternative religious leader Loa at the hands of Christian activists. People are increasingly turning against the anti-New-Age sentiment that the Catholic Church seems to have been backing in recent years.

Street

Street x1: LUCASTA ALERT!!! A wave of mass hysteria is hitting the city! Multiple people all over the area have been reporting encounters with the enigmatic vigilante figure Lucasta, who apparently has appeared in the form of a brilliant angel leading an army of followers to smite the wicked. Reports have been pouring in simultaneously from various locations, in patterns that seem to be incongrous with any humanely possible transportation. (I.e. He seems to be in multiple places at once.)

People on the street are starting to view Lucasta as a sort of savior. Graffiti abounds all over the city heralding in the "Age of the Lightbringer." There's a mixture of hero-worship and genuine fear in the minds of people these days. Throat Cutter Hernandez is outraged. He claims that Lucasta is a hoax and a fraud, and that whatever he's pulling isn't going to cut it.

In the meantime, the word is Lucusta should come to Coney Island some time, so say the Orphans. "The man" wants a talk with him

Can you dig it?

Street x2: Hobos keep getting messed up, disemboweled, and otherwise maimed at an alarming rate. Just last week some psychopath in the Bronx tried to take out two guys with his teeth.

Street x3: A large group of homeless people apparently were congregating outside of the nightclub known as Daemon's before a small fire started there last Wednesday.

Street x4: There's word all over Brooklyn that NOBODY is to sell any cocaine to a girl matching a certain description (short, bobbed hair, goes by the name of Natalie) or there will be heavy repercussions.

The network of hobos mentioned earlier was actually connected to the fire started, although few people are willing to say much more.

Transportation

Transportation x3: It's damn hard to get to certain parts of Harlem tonight. Lots of roadwork has suddenly popped up. Particularly around a certain ex-nightclub known as Daemon's.

Underworld

Underworld x1: LUCASTA ALERT!!! A wave of mass hysteria is hitting the city! Multiple people all over the area have been reporting encounters with the enigmatic vigilante figure Lucasta, who apparently has appeared in the form of a brilliant angel leading an army of followers to smite the wicked. Reports have been pouring in simultaneously from various locations, in patterns that seem to be incongruous with any humanely possible transportation. (I.e. He seems to be in multiple places at once.)

Multiple criminal organizations are baffled. Throat Cutter Hernandez is outraged. He claims that Lucasta is a hoax and a fraud, and that whatever he's pulling isn't going to cut it.

Underworld x2: Word is increasingly pouring in that a team of two European hitmen have been contracted by Hernandez to take care of the "Lucusta problem."

They are referred to as the Hawk and Sparrow.

Meanwhile, the word is that firebug Castro "The Cuban Torch" pulled off a job a few nights ago, setting a place on fire. Apparently some nightclub in Harlem.

Underworld x3: Hawk and Sparrow were apparently in town for other reasons as well. Although they are giving no indication who they were working for it might have something to do with Vyacheslav Ivankov several months back.

There has apparently been mention of a girl they've looking for in addition to Lucasta. Although very little can be found about her.

Castro "The Cuban Torch" isn't actually Cuban, also his target was a club called Daemon's in Harlem.

Underworld x4: The girl in question is named Alissa Paige, she apparently is in possession of something rather valuable that one of Hawk and Sparrow's contractors have been looking for. She is probably using an assumed name.

They are willing to kill her to get that something back.

Underworld x6: There is no "girl" that Hawk and Sparrow are looking for. Sparrow IS the girl. This is their modus operandi.

"Sparrow" always assumes the guise of somebody in trouble (in this case Alissa Paige). She asks the target for help. The target helps her, and eventually is killed by "Hawk".

Underworld x7: The real target's name is Omorescu.

University

University x1: The hidden "occult room" at Columbia University (found recently in connection to the death of grad student Joy Kamigawa in the same library) has been widely dismissed as either a hoax or something to do with a secret society or fraternity gone amok. Nobody genuinely involved in the scene really believes the area to be associated with any actual occult groups.

University x2: The Office of Dr. Steven Shea and the surrounding offices at Columbia University Medical center are temporarily closed because of a health violation and the need for "rodent fumigation."

University x4: Somebody seems to be heavily investigating the now presumed dead former NYU professor Lillian Greer rather extensively.

A new grant for a computer networking/ID reader program has been approved at Columbia. Money is starting to funnel in.